I don't think it is a mistake. It was his best option by far, if he really wanted to go for the MS route, and not for the opportunistic Senna route. If he really wants to improve himself this is the way to go. It is a risk, and that is what makes it respectful. Merc should be pretty solid, for all the obvious reasons that had been touched upon, even taking into account the pissoff seasons they produced so far. If it was a mistake it will be very obvious by mid-season this year, I don't think it will take three seasons to decide that.

I think it is a bit early to be calling this the MS route. Let's see if he can live up to that comparison first.

Its all very real today seeing Sergio in his McLaren uniform and the excitement is building now to see Lewis settling in to his new team. I'm not bothered about comparisons with Schumacher because that's irrelevant. This is Hamilton's career and he's built his own path in F1, sod those before him. I'm sure its nice to hear yourself compared to the greats but the focus is purely on making ones own history. If he stays with Mercedes for 3 years and wins another title before moving on, then its a successful term in his career.

I don't think it is a mistake. It was his best option by far, if he really wanted to go for the MS route, and not for the opportunistic Senna route. If he really wants to improve himself this is the way to go. It is a risk, and that is what makes it respectful. Merc should be pretty solid, for all the obvious reasons that had been touched upon, even taking into account the pissoff seasons they produced so far. If it was a mistake it will be very obvious by mid-season this year, I don't think it will take three seasons to decide that.

I've had a theory that this move was more about his management trying to extend the Lewis Hamilton brand, than it was about anything else. They probably sold Lewis on this being a great idea based on financial income generated and nothing else. But, it seems like Lewis is coming to the realization that winning does matter an awful bit to him based on some of the things he has said the past couple of months. This may be the best learning experience of his career, and I hope it is as I'd hate to see someone with his ability piss it away.

I've had a theory that this move was more about his management trying to extend the Lewis Hamilton brand, than it was about anything else. They probably sold Lewis on this being a great idea based on financial income generated and nothing else. But, it seems like Lewis is coming to the realization that winning does matter an awful bit to him based on some of the things he has said the past couple of months. This may be the best learning experience of his career, and I hope it is as I'd hate to see someone with his ability piss it away.

Building a good brand is actually quite important for the long term too. The ideal thing would be to combine it with more sporting success, but let's not dismiss the value of promoting Lewis (or whoever) so that they can have others career(s) after racing. If Mercedes can get it together, he can have the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, many (including myself) are doubtful about how quickly they can do that.

He is a multiple WDC, he was a good driver and all, respect for his achievments. but I kind of agree with Mosley's view on him. He lives in his own bubble. The more senile he gets, the more he talks, and the less sense he makes. So you really shouldn't be confused, or even suprised.

He is a multiple WDC, he was a good driver and all, respect for his achievments. but I kind of agree with Mosley's view on him. He lives in his own bubble. The more senile he gets, the more he talks, and the less sense he makes. So you really shouldn't be confused, or even suprised.

Maybe it's just that he's the only ex-champ who doesn't read these forums.

Personally I regard 4th place in the 2012 championship a poor result for someone of Hamilton's talent and it was through no fault of his own. Until Mclaren sort out their finger trouble he's got nothing to lose going to Mercedes. I'm actually excited to see what happens.

The majority of Mercedes’ efforts will be on getting the rear end right. There are two components: using the exhaust gasses properly – something they never really got a handle on in 2012 – and maximising airflow over the diffuser through smart component packaging and heavy sidepod undercuts.There are rumours Mercedes has developed a ultra-small gearbox, copying Williams. I expect a few teams to go down this route as it is an obvious way to reduce blockage at the rear of the car. The challenge with a small gearbox is that the drive shafts are more steeply angled which reduces power transmitted to the wheels. But the evidence from Williams suggests this conundrum is solvable.In addition it is thought that Mercedes will copy the Red Bull exhausts with ducting at the rear to better direct the exhaust flow. The jury is still out on whether the McLaren or Red Bull exhaust solution is best, but Mercedes struggled to emulate McLaren’s Coanda solution last year.

Useful article that points out the many cards that would have to stack up.They need to be on the right path – in terms of design of W04 – i remain optimistic about that aspect (with all the effort noises they have been making)however even if they get that right they will probably need more time than may be available to catch up with top 3 -4 cars who will be refining their own cars (steeper development curve, teething problems with upgraded wind tunnel, team gelling and settling in of new driver etc.)

I remain optimistic for 2014 though and not cos of engines. Anything more will be an exciting bonus.

I'm surprised that only one journo so far has mentioned that their is a rumour about (most likely coming from Brackley) that they will have a good car next year....

Personally, I don't rely, or get my hopes up, on rumors anymore, as far as Merc is concerned. They should have a pretty decent car, that is nothing new. it as been said over and over again: the W04 is the first car they designed with the structure and potential they worked on for more than year npw to set up.

I'm surprised that only one journo so far has mentioned that their is a rumour about (most likely coming from Brackley) that they will have a good car next year....

They will have a great car at the start of the season but will it be reliable because Schumacher lost all momentum at the start of the season stopping him from ever carrying on having had great pace, secondly if they don't develop the car again then there's the problem. They produced good speed but massively under developed through the year.

More than likely he was playing down expectations; if their aim is to be pushing for the World championship in 2014, than regardless of any playing down coming out of either Brackley or Stuttgart, 2013 will be a very important year. They've invested a lot in attaining both the facilities and the key personnel in order for them to make a push, and if nothing else 2013 will act as a test run to see how the various constituent parts they've assembled fit and work together, and whether they have the capacity to maintain development and push until the end. I think 2013s most important impact will be psychological. What separates the winners from the losers more often than not is the self-belief that not only can you win the championship, but that you will win the championship; reduced to a few words to the difference between hesitancy and decisiveness in the face of pressure. Its a psychological edge that is important since without it even if you have the fastest car, and the fastest driver you can still lose the championship, A good example of this is Manchester United or for an F1 example Red Bull, who had the capacity to win in 2009 and win much earlier in 2010 (even in spite of reliability) yet if you were to replace the team they are now, with the team they were back down, 2012 could well have been their fourth championship on the trot, with the only real difference being the confidence and self-belief that they are winners. Despite winning as Brawn four years ago (a team that could be argued almost lost the championship), Mercedes are essentially a different team, a team which lacks such a belief, and 2013 will be pivotal in attaining it. Should 2013 be a replica of the second half of 2012, it doesn't matter how much the engine regs will suit them in 2014, they will have to rely on a greater amount of factors outside of their control with the major players all getting it wrong, and for a 2009ish year before they win it.

Even if we were present for the actual interview, I doubt we would have perceived any lack of enthusiasm, make no bones about it 2013 is essentially a make or break year for Mercedes.

Typical Mercedes, Mr, Zetsche illustrates the error of their ways by his own words...

".... He said the fact Mercedes only won a single Grand Prix between 2010 and 2012 led to "changes" for this season, including a "new driver, new chairman and more to come."The real problem lay with the chassis and we are working on that," admitted Zetsche."The coming season will probably not allow us to show the full effect of the changes, but in 2014 we will have a good shot at the championship, especially with the new engine rules," he added. "....."

He admits the real problem is the chassis... and cites replacing a chairman and a driver???? Of course we won't see a championship fight in 2013! If a flat tire is keeping you from getting to work on time, how is a new radio and wax job going to fix that???

If Lewis hadn't made this "choice" wllingly, in full light of this teams history, I'd feel sorry for him.